The Elementary Bilingual Teacher

The Elementary Bilingual Classroom

For the past 10 years I have been living and teaching bilingual elementary instruction in Texas. I’ve taught one-way (All Spanish speakers) and two-way bilingual instruction (Spanish and Non-Spanish mixed together). One way was muuuuuch simpler because I taught Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science all in Spanish, and only Math in English. However, two- way instruction is much harder because not all students understand the language, which means that there is a much stronger need of language support in understanding the language. This means that, I’m not only teaching my students reading and writing strategies, b ut I’m also teaching them within a language that is not their strongest.in other words I’m teaching language and reading and writing strategies.

These type of classrooms needs to provide a lot of visual support for the students. This is why I set a clear area for each of my subjects. I label each area, leave enough space to put a nice Anchor Chart developed and used to teach my students a particular skill or standard. I also have an area where I can post important vocabulary words related to the topic being discussed (these words are better supported with visual support in the form of pictures or drawings), and one or two good student samples developed throughout the series of lessons that lead to mastery of the skill or standard.

Besides academic areas, our students need resources in order to complete the variety of instructional activities we plan for them. For example, language arts is complemented by the use of a in-classroom library as well as reading and writing centers, Math is complemented by use of manipulatives and Math Centers as well, 

I like to organize math manipulatives in particular bins. For example, in my case I have my math manipulatives in a six-cube organizer where each bin is properly labeled in the language of instruction.

When it comes to centers, I love to incorporate task cards. I keep these on a photo case. I keep each set on an individual color photo case and organize the keeper box by subject in its classroom designated area.

Another important aspect of the bilingual classroom is the guided reading, writing, and math area. This is the area where I spend most of my time with my students grouped by abilities/ levels on our Language Arts and Math teaching blocks. This is where I have my horseshoe table and behind it I have most of my resources. I like to organize them on 10 drawer carts where every drawer is labeled in one of these carts I use each drawer to organize the resources I will use with each guided reading and writing small groups. I have another in which I place everyday resources such as white boards, markers, graphic organizers per subject and skill, post it notes, different types of papers, etc. on another one I have drawers for turn in student work and graded work respectively by each of my class subjects.

One other thing I like to is prepare table cubbies with craft resources they need often. This year I was able to find cubbies divided into 6 cups and I loved it because it is enough space to put inside what. I need without providing too much space for the students to fill with other stuff, as kids usually do,. Inside these I will be placing crayons, colored pencils, colored markers, expo markers, rulers and sticky notes, and glue sticks. I know you might be asking: “What about pencils?” Well, those I keep separate on a “sharpened pencils” cup.

One more thing, I keep most of my student supplies on cube bins. These cubes have their own labels which makes it self-explanatory for students to put everything in its rightful place right on the first day of school. That way I avoid having to do it myself and it keeps everything organized without any hassle. I keep those in the cubbies/cabinets where I can access quickly in order to replace anything.

Organization is important in many ways: instruction, transitions, and even classroom management!

Let’s keep in touch!

Love,

Suhaily

I have the Keys to my Classroom, now what?!

I have the keys to my classroom, now what?!

I remember when I got my first classroom and several after that! No matter what grade you’re teaching, It’s exciting! I’m one of those teachers who looooves to decorate the bejeezus out of her room. Every year I pick a them and go from there. 

Truth is, your classroom is your letter of presentation! It is the first impression both students and parents, and colleagues have of you as a teacher. It is also your sacred space! You’ll spend more time in there that you will at home! Therefore, own it! Make it youir own and your children as well. 

I would suggest a few things that might help!

Advice #1:Organize the furniturein a way that will be most beneficial for the learning process with your students. group seating or Individual seating. 

Advice #2:Study the space in your classroom in order for you to showcase work for each content area. For example, as an elementary bilingual teacher I have a self-contained classroom in which I teach Language Arts (Word Work, Reading, and Writing), Math, Social Studies, and Science. I need to support my students’ learning by posting anchor charts, vocabulary, and examples of good work. This is why I try to set a particular space for each content, but in a way that does not look like it is taking a hold of the classroom. I label each area and leave space for my instructional charts, add a pocket chart for vocabulary, and space for one or two student samples. 

Advice #3:Pick a theme or color scheme and stick with it. Be aware not to put a plethora of things that don’t seem to go together because it is confusing.

Advice #4:Find a place for everything and keep it there; Organize it all! classroom resources. You will have instructional resources as well as student and teacher supplies. The easier it is for you and your students to find everything, the easier it will be to have transitions in your classroom and during your lessons. 

Besides resources, you will have to manage a serious amount of documents! In our line of work, every administrator will tell you: ‘Document everything!!!” Some people like to use technology for as much as possible but not everything is able to be in an App. In my case, I’m an old-fashioned kind of gal who keeps a Binder System. I like to have easy, accessible, concrete resources at hand organized in a way in which I can work with as I go or as requested. There are so many ways to help keep an organized classroom! But that’s another topic to explore! 

Love,

Suhaily

I Just Got a Teaching Job! Yeahhh!!

I just Got a Teaching Job! Yeahhh!

I remember when I got my first teaching job. Boy, was I nervous and excited! But to be honest, I had no idea what to do next. I had gone to school and had been a student my whole life but did not know how it would work with me on the front side of the classroom calling the shots.

To give out an idea, I was not told a thing and just got thrown into the sharks with no lifeguard. I had to survive all on my own. So, what did I do? I asked, observed, read books and articles, had initiative, and a strong sense work ethic. 

Ever since I’ve always wanted to help others not fell the way I felt. I found this platform and decided to help out a little and share experiences and practices that have helped me.

As a brand-new teacher, I would suggest a few things. In your private time, 

Advice #1:Familiarize yourself with the standardsof the subject you will be teaching. WAIT!! Don’t overwhelm yourself!! Work a unit at a time, especially if you are working more than one subject, learn the difference between your Readiness and Supporting Standards. While doing this think of ideas to plan your lessons in a way that works for you, keeping in mind the level of rigor you need to present to your kids. For this, make your campus iCoach one of your BFF’s. The iCoach will be able to help you understand the standards, find and access multiple resources, advice on good practices and offer ideas.

Advice #2: Befriend your colleagues, and by this I mean everyone on your campus! Be the person who makes a positive impact, the one who sheds a little light by starting with a smile and greeting everyone in your path. Every single person on that campus plays a very important part; from the office personnel who are the face of the school, to the Administration who runs the school, other teachers who share knowledge and experience, to the cafeteria staff and custodians who help keep the school nice, clean, and shiny. These people are your Allies!!!

Advice#3:Prepare your classroombefore all the trainings of the beginning of the school year. This way you will be relaxed during the trainings and not thinking that you need to prep your room before parents and students come to meet you. The needs of your classroom will depend on the grade and subject(s) you will be teaching. (We can chat about that later and more in depth! 

Advice #4:Try to prepare lesson plans for the first two weeks. I know this may be a challenge but believe me when I say that everyone will be running like a chicken without a head trying to make copies, prepare materials, and have things ready for when the students come in. THIS IS THE BULK OF WHAT WE DO!! If you come in to your school year, prepared for those first two weeks, YOU WILL HAVE PEACE OF MIND!!! And, the school year will flow easier. Sat the beginning of the school year it will take you longer to prepare your plans because it takes a while for your brain to come back form “Vacation Mode”. However, once you are immersed in “Teaching Mode” it will come to you much easier. You will be able to establish your routine, and things will come naturally. Will you need help? Of course! We all do! Education is a Collaborative work! 

Advice #5:Have a clear set of routines, expectations, and discipline plan up and running for when the students come in. BE CONSISTENT!!!!! And, review them as much as necessary.

Advice #6:Get to know your Students(my kids, as I call them) and their parents.  Have the parents fill out an information sheet that will allow you to contact them easier and a questionnaire that allows you to get to know the students, their likes and dislikes. This will help you not only establish good relationships with them, but it also helps you incorporate those things into your plans and lessons, as well as knowing which parents can become your allies in the classroom, helpers, chaperones, etc. 

Advice #7:Teach from the heart!!!!!You will have the opportunity to influence lives!!!! Make the difference! Love your kids! Encourage them! Make them SOAR!! 

Teaching is hard work, but it is the most fulfilling job you’ll ever have!!!

Love,

Welcome! I'm sooo excited!

Welcome: I am soooo excited!!!

Today is a very important day for me! It is the day I conquered a fear and decided to step into the media world and share with teachers and parents my enthusiasm for learning and teaching! 

Thank you so much for visiting my webspace, my blog, my new media world! I hope you find everything very helpful and enlightening. After teaching for many years and encountering many pitfalls, I decided to share with the world my experiences: those that have been a great success, and those that have not and therefore, have become learning experiences.

I wish this adventure will allow me the opportunity to not only touch lives in a positive way, but also allow me to learn so much more through your experiences as well! 

Happy teaching and parenting!!!

Love,